LoPresti Moon Beam Anyone?

[jsimmons619]

I own a 1987 M20J with the landing light in the nose cowl.  I am considering upgrading to the LoPresti Moon Beam and am requesting feedback from anyone who has made this upgrade.

Is the light pattern significantly different?  (LoPresti says it is)

Is the apparent light output visibly better?  (LoPresti says it is)

Is it worth the upgrade cost? (Would you do it again?)

Looking forward to your responses.  Thanks for your prompt feedback.

 

Jim in Cheshire, CT

[KSMooniac]

I'm a happy XeVision customer...you might give them a look, esepcially at the price.

[Shadrach]

Quote: KSMooniac

I'm a happy XeVision customer...you might give them a look, esepcially at the price.

[danb35]

Quote: KSMooniac

I'm a happy XeVision customer...you might give them a look, esepcially at the price.

[Shadrach]

Quote: danb35

Unfortunately, installation of that requires a field approval, which not all FSDOs are willing to give.

[KSMooniac]

It might be worth finding a friendly FSDO and getting the installation done (or at least written-up/approved) while on the road, so to speak...  We had no trouble with mine in 2008.

[fantom]

I passed on that group buy from the Mooney mailing list three years ago, but if we get enough people (5?) here who want to buy, we could get the group discount.

If anyone else is interested, speak up, and I'll check it out.

[mooniac58]

I have a BoomBeam from LoPresti.  I am really happy with it.  I also did not use the XeVision because of the 337.  At the time I was based in Hawaiii and there is only one FSDO office (the next one is 2400nm away!!) and I did not want to deal with them - they are slow and a**holes for the most part ;-)

But back on topic - the difference is huge.  I can see the runway from a good 1/4 mile away now - compared to my stock light that was pretty much showing me the numbers from about 50 feet away!

[scottfromiowa]

XE-Vision 50 watt unit.  Couldn't be happier.  Significantly less expense (purchase and install for price of BoomBeam).  Other post discusses on MooneySpace.  There are several installation locations for XE-Vision.  The paperwork was all handled and install completed in under 3 hours while I waited...

[danb35]

Quote: Shadrach

The Xevision website has a list of submitted and approved 337s from many makes of AC including most model Mooneys... 

[scottfromiowa]

Wouldn't you rather spend the money flying somewhere vs. giving to Mfr of lighting?  The 50 watt unit was previously of higher discharge than the BoomBeam.  When I bought it was a lot less $ for MORE output.  I recommend the 50 watt unit if you do get a XE-Vision unit installed.

[Shadrach]

Quote: danb35

[scottfromiowa]

Ross,

I did a double take.  Thought I might have written your post.  I concur.

[Shadrach]

Quote: scottfromiowa

Ross,

I did a double take.  Thought I might have written your post.  I concur.

[flight2000]

I agree with both Ross and Scott.  Thankfully there are only two FSDO's that I've heard of that have zero common sense (Oakland being the other). 

[Shadrach]

Quote: flight2000

I agree with both Ross and Scott.  Thankfully there are only two FSDO's that I've heard of that have zero common sense (Oakland being the other). 

[scottfromiowa]

I would have to say I have a love hate relationship with CA too.  I visited the Bay area last week (flew into Oakland with my wife Kelly) Loved San Francisco and Sausalito(sp), but didn't care for the traffic or getting my rental car broken into.  It's a beautiful state, but couldn't deal with the traffic on a regular basis.

[flight2000]

Quote: scottfromiowa

...or getting my rental car broken into.  It's a beautiful state, but couldn't deal with the traffic on a regular basis.

[scottfromiowa]

Misery loves company!  Sorry to hear about your encounter.  Our trip was good too sans the "event".  Right after watching Butler beat the crap out of Wisconsin in NCAA...I have not ever been the "recipient" of such an event.  Hopefully dues are paid for another 50 years.  Still a beautiful state with a lot to offer, but I will remain an occasional visitor not adding to the commuting crowd.

[Mooney_Allegro]

I had the Boom Beam installed in my Piper Warrior II and loved it!  I had the zip tips(landing lights & pulse) on the wingtips and also the Boom Beam on the nose cowling.  It was very bright, and I got numerous comments from towers and other aircraft at how bright it was.   On my Mooney, I decided to go with 4 HID's from Precise Flight instead of the Boom Beam.  For the most part it was due to cost savings.  The Boom Beam if I remember correctly was at least $1000 more for my installation.  I didn't see any advantage at the time, and the Boom Beam's ballast was larger than Preciseflight.  I'm VERY happy with my Precise Flight HID's, they are very bright and I also went with the pulselites for the landing lights only, not the taxi lights.  I was changing lights all the time, but not anymore! They last forever just about!

[WardHolbrook]

Question for you guys who have installed HID... Do they "play well" with pulse light systems? 

[KSMooniac]

I don't have a pulse system, but what do you mean by "play well"?  Perhaps plug into an existing pulse controller?

XeVision appears to have a pulse option now with their products:  http://www.xevision.com/hid_aircraft_kits.html#pulsingsystem